The CDHL Summit Series is here, and the stage is set for an intense nine-game battle between two teams built in very different ways. On one side, the Dawgs, captained by Ben and Battery, have leaned on structure, discipline, and a rock-solid defense. On the other, Los Banditos, led by the Dunne-Fox brothers, are coming in with firepower, speed, and a forward-heavy attack.
But beneath the surface, this series is filled with intriguing storylines.
Battery hates his friends
Rather than sticking with his usual crew, Battery made the controversial choice to let his best friends in the league – Heise, Boulos and Belfer – slide to the opposition side on draft day. It’s a decision that could either prove his commitment to winning or come back to bite him. If the Dawgs struggle, those passed-over players will be eager to remind him of what he left behind. “Honestly it’s fine” exclaimed a seemingly panicked co-captain Battery. “I’d rather make new friends that I’ve never spoken to before over the next 8 weeks. It’s not worth spending $8 to get Harley Belfer. He doesn’t even speak to me anyways. It’s fine. We’ll be fine”.
Brandon Boulos: Tier 3 or Something More?
One of the most polarizing players in the league – on paper, Brandon Boulos is Tier 3 caliber, but many believe that label sells him short. He is certainly one of the most hot/cold players in the league, and that may have hurt his draft stock. Now, he has the perfect opportunity to prove he belongs among the league’s top contributors.
The Dunne-Fox brothers were by all accounts “over the moon with joy” to draft Boulos for a measly $10. “Money well spent”, quipped co-captain of Los Banditos, Paddy Dunne-Fox. “Boulos has been working on his game day-in and day-out ever since going minus-7 with 13 turnovers during a mid February Monday League game. We think his worst days are behind him and he will quiet the critics”.
Will he be a difference-maker in the series, or will the Dawgs expose him as the Tier 3, possibly even Tier 4 player he has been known to play as?
Iano’s big expectations
Understandably one of the most coveted players on draft day, Los Banditos had to pay a Kings ransom for the stud playmaker. For Matt Ianovale, wearing a Los Banditos jersey in the summit series is a major opportunity. A notorious ex-hater of ice hockey, he has come around to the sport and is excited to play under the bright lights of the CDHL. He has already been quoted as saying that captain Ben Godfrey “promised” that he would draft him, and is reportedly furious that he didn’t follow through on his guarantee. Can he rise to the occasion and be a difference maker for Los Bandits on the ice, off the ice, and in the group chat?
The Ultimate Matchup: Firepower vs. Structure
At its core, this series comes down to two competing philosophies—Los Banditos’ offensive onslaught vs. the Dawgs’ steady, structured defense. Can the Dawgs contain the relentless attack of the Dunne-Fox brothers and their forward corps, or will Los Banditos’ pressure prove too much over a long series?
Game 1 is more than just a start—it’s a tone-setter. The team that dictates the pace early could take control of the series. The puck drops soon—let the war begin.